MANILA: The Philippine Army (PA) announced Wednesday that it had deployed a 12-member contingent to the 3rd Japan-Philippine Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) Cooperation Project in Tokyo, Japan. PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala, in a statement, said the contingent came from the 525th Engineer Combat Battalion of the Combat Engineer Regiment. He said the cooperation project, which runs from March 3 to 9, is aimed at mutually enhancing the HADR capabilities of the PA and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) on various disasters by sharing knowledge, good practices, and lessons learned. It focuses mainly on four disaster types, which include volcanic eruption, tsunami, earthquake, and flood. The delegation was headed by 51st Engineer Brigade deputy commander Col. Jonjie C. Juguilon. "(Col. Juguilon) provided an update on the status of the HADR equipment donated by the Japanese government in 2021, highlighting its utilization during the search-and-retrieval Operation after the 7.2-m agnitude quake that hit Turkey on February 2023 and the recent HADR efforts for landslide victims at Barangay Masara, Maco, Davao De Oro on early February 2024," Dema-ala added. He said the PA delegation paid a courtesy call on JGSDF Director General of the Policy and Programs Department, Maj. Gen. Norimichi Shirakawa. The PA earlier hosted the 2023 iteration of the HADR Cooperation Project, which was participated in by search, rescue, and retrieval teams from the 525 Engineer Combat Battalion, 51st Engineer Brigade, observers from selected PA major units, as well as reservists. Armor Division gets more assets As this developed, PA commander Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido spearheaded the blessing ceremony of the newly-acquired assets of the Armor Division at Camp O'Donnell, Sta. Lucia, Capas, Tarlac on Tuesday. Galido was joined by Southern Luzon Commander and concurrent Armor Division commander Maj. Gen. Facundo Palafox IV. Together, they led the blessing ceremonies for five 6x6 wheeled armor personnel carrie rs, nine Ascod Sabrah light tanks, one command post vehicle, and one tractor-head. "Likewise, the Army Chief also led the unveiling of markers for the Mess Hall, Armor Museum, and Maintenance Depot Facility," Dema-ala said. He added that these newly-acquired assets will bolster the Armor Division's capabilities in terms of operational readiness towards attaining a world-class, multi-mission-ready, and cross-domain capable armor force. Source: Philippines News Agency
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